Learning disabilities
Down's Syndrome
Our bodies are made of cells, and each cell has chromosomes in it. The chromosomes are like a code that tells the cell what to do. Everyone is given 23 chromosomes from their mum and 23 from their Dad and the same 23 pairs of chromosomes are copied in every one of our cells. Down’s syndrome is a condition you are born with which means you have one extra chromosome. One baby in 1000 has Down’s syndrome. No one knows what causes some people to have the extra chromosome.
People with Down’s syndrome all have a learning disability. For some it makes a little difference and for some it makes a big difference. People with Down’s syndrome used to have a shorter life-expectancy than other people, but now most people with Down’s syndrome can expect to live into their 50s.
